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helloakosisam's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bethgiven's review
4.0
Christopher is a white mouse, living with his mother and sister and brothers, enjoying cheese and nuts, learning to read, even composing poetry. But his mother warns her children that their good lives together won't last: when they are old enough, they will be separated and assigned to fates as lab mice or pets. Christopher ends up as a pet in the hands of various owners, some benevolent and others abusive. When he gets the opportunity finally take control of his fate, he finds that life doesn't get immediately better, but ultimately he can set himself on a path that will lead to happiness.
My eight-year-old son and I read this aloud together for Battle of the Books, and while it's not my favorite book set in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (obviously that's The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) nor is it my favorite book in which a small animal composes poetry (Rabbit Hill edges above that one), this is still a good story.
The ending has just a touch of ambiguity, which I think was frustrating for my son, but I liked it. It's rare for a children's story to put so much trust in their readers.
My eight-year-old son and I read this aloud together for Battle of the Books, and while it's not my favorite book set in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (obviously that's The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) nor is it my favorite book in which a small animal composes poetry (Rabbit Hill edges above that one), this is still a good story.
The ending has just a touch of ambiguity, which I think was frustrating for my son, but I liked it. It's rare for a children's story to put so much trust in their readers.
libraryowl's review
3.0
Mice are smarter than we think. Christopher mouse is raised in a home where mice are sold to both pet stores and the dreaded laboratory. Christopher has a special bond with his sister who ends up at a pet store with him. But, they are soon separated and Christopher finds himself in a terrible situation. He must manage on his own and find an owner who will care for him properly.
This is a fantasy story that would please the youngest chapter book readers. This book won a California Young Reader Medal in 2007 in the Intermediate category. This is surprising for me because the theme of this book is very light and seems like it would be difficult for all intermediate readers to enjoy. I would recommend this book for third graders that are above reading level and fourth grade readers.
This is a fantasy story that would please the youngest chapter book readers. This book won a California Young Reader Medal in 2007 in the Intermediate category. This is surprising for me because the theme of this book is very light and seems like it would be difficult for all intermediate readers to enjoy. I would recommend this book for third graders that are above reading level and fourth grade readers.
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